Find out how popular the first name Elle has been for the last 47 years (from 1977 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Elle by gender

Based on the last 47 years of data, Elle is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 696 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Elle.

The history of the first name Elle

The name Elle is derived from the French form of the name Helen, which has its origins in the ancient Greek name Helene. The name Helene is believed to have originated from the Greek word "helene," meaning "torch" or "bright one."

The name Elle first gained popularity in France during the Middle Ages, where it was used as a diminutive or shortened version of the name Helen. It was commonly used among the French nobility and upper classes.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Elle can be found in the 12th century French epic poem "The Song of Roland," where a character named Elle is mentioned.

In Greek mythology, Helen of Troy, also known as Helen of Sparta, was a famous figure whose abduction by Paris sparked the Trojan War. While not directly related to the name Elle, the mythological figure of Helen contributed to the popularity of the name and its variants across Europe.

Throughout history, several notable figures have borne the name Elle. One of the most famous was Elle Goulding, an English singer-songwriter born in 1986, known for her hits like "Lights" and "Love Me Like You Do."

Another notable Elle was Elle Macpherson, an Australian model, businesswoman, and actress born in 1964. She gained international fame as a supermodel and was nicknamed "The Body" due to her successful modeling career.

In the literary world, Elle Newmark, an American author born in 1966, is known for her historical novels, including "The Book of Unholy Mischief" and "The Salt Marsh."

Elle Fanning, born in 1998, is an American actress who began her career as a child actor and has since starred in numerous films, including "Super 8," "The Neon Demon," and "The Great."

Lastly, Elle King, an American singer-songwriter born in 1989, is known for her hit single "Ex's & Oh's," which earned her two Grammy nominations in 2016.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Elle was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Elle, please contact us.

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